Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)

The University of Cambridge is seeking a Research Laboratory Technician for a fixed-term position in the Department of Plant Sciences. The role involves performing molecular biology techniques and supporting a project on synthetic plant chromosomes. Candidates should have some laboratory experience and a relevant degree. The position requires teamwork and is based in Cambridge, UK, with funding available for three years.
Research Laboratory Technician (Fixed Term)

An exciting opportunity is available for a Research Laboratory Technician to join the group of Prof. Jake Harris at the Department of Plant Sciences. The laboratory is situated on the Downing Site in Cambridge and houses state-of-the-art facilities.

The project is part of a pioneering new effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes, funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA) for more details. The postholder will support and perform various routine and higher-level molecular biology techniques in the lab, including:
• Cloning (PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, restriction reactions, ligation reactions, Gibson assembly, bacterial transformation and culture, plasmid purification, and Sanger sequencing)
• Genotyping (collecting material, genomic DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis)
• Genetic transformations
• General plant husbandry and maintenance

The primary model organism is the 'green yeast', Physcomitrium patens, which holds many unique advantages for synthetic biology approaches. There is also scope for development in computational aspects and organisational pipelines. The project is part of an integrated team effort involving academic and biotech laboratories across the UK and Australia.

The successful candidate is not expected to be familiar with all these techniques; however, experience working with Physcomitrium patens or other non-vascular plants is highly beneficial. A willingness to learn and some prior laboratory experience is essential. The postholder will work closely alongside a postdoctoral researcher on the project and within a wider laboratory team setting, so evidence of successful teamwork to achieve well-defined project goals is critically important. The successful candidate will have a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, strong organisational and time-management skills, a positive attitude, and good team spirit.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD45704 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information
• Further Particulars
• Department/Location: Department of Plant Sciences
• Salary: £26,942-£30,805
• Reference: PD45704
• Category: Assistant staff
• Published: 10 April 2025
• Closing date: 1 May 2025

#s1-Gen

The successful candidate is not expected to be familiar with all these techniques; however, experience working with Physcomitrium patens or other non-vascular plants is highly beneficial. A willingness to learn and some prior laboratory experience is essential. The postholder will work closely alongside a postdoctoral researcher on the project and within a wider laboratory team setting, so evidence of successful teamwork to achieve well-defined project goals is critically important. The successful candidate will have a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject, strong organisational and time-management skills, a positive attitude, and good team spirit.

An exciting opportunity is available for a Research Laboratory Technician to join the group of Prof. Jake Harris at the Department of Plant Sciences. The laboratory is situated on the Downing Site in Cambridge and houses state-of-the-art facilities.

The project is part of a pioneering new effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes, funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA, please see here https://www.aria.org.uk/opportunity-spaces/programmable-plants/synthetic-plants) for more details). The postholder will support and perform various routine and higher-level molecular biology techniques in the lab, including cloning (PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA purification, restriction reactions, ligation reactions, Gibson assembly, bacterial transformation and culture, plasmid purification, and Sanger sequencing), genotyping (collecting material, genomic DNA extraction, PCR, and gel electrophoresis), genetic transformations, as well as general plant husbandry and maintenance. The primary model organism is the 'green yeast', Physcomitrium patens, which holds many unique advantages for synthetic biology approaches. There is also scope for development in computational aspects and organisational pipelines. The project is
part of an integrated team effort involving academic and biotech laboratories across the UK and Australia.